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Latin Phrases Trivia Quiz

A number of standing expressions from Latin are still occasionally used in a non-scholarly context. In this quiz you can demonstate how familiar you are with some of those surviving phrases from a traditional 'classic education'.

A multiple-choice quiz by flem-ish. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
flem-ish

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
65,999

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1683

Last 3 plays: FabledHexor (2/10), Guest 41 (7/10), arion52 (4/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. When a meeting has been adjourned without a date being agreed upon for re-convening, we can say it has been adjourned _____
____ ? Hint

sine dato

sine dicto

ad diem nullam

sine die

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Question 2 of 10

2. When you make a plea for your own cause, your plea can be called a(n) _______________ ? Hint

in medias res

apologia pro vita sua

oratio pro domo

ex abrupto

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Question 3 of 10

3. If you print the complete text of a speech, you print it _____________ Hint

in toto

in extenso

ex toto

ad usum vulgatum

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Question 4 of 10

4. If you want to make a clean slate and start from scratch again, the thing to do is to make '_______
_____' of the past ? Hint

tabula nuda

status quo

tabula nulla

tabula rasa

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Question 5 of 10

5. Many a good speech begins with a 'fight for the attention and the good-will of the audience'. What is the traditional name for such a beginning of a speech? Hint

captatio audientiae

captatio benevolentiae

captatio auditorii

admonitio

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Question 6 of 10

6. What Latin expression claims that giving names to a person or a thing may have its effect on the future of that person or thing? Hint

Lumen numen.

Nomen est oraculum.

In cauda venenum.

Nomen est omen.

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is meant in the Roman Catholic tradition by the saying: Roma locuta , causa finita ? Hint

If Rome is destroyed, it's the end of the world.

Let's ask Rome and finish off the matter.

Rome is eternal, the world is finite.

When Rome has spoken, the discussion is closed.

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Question 8 of 10

8. Quot capita, tot sententiae. Hint

The more money involved, the longer you have to wait for a sentence to be pronounced.

Every man has a right to an honest trial.

The more people take part in a discussion, the more differences in opinion there will be.

Nobody escapes his sentence.

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Question 9 of 10

9. Who spoke the famous words 'Non possumus' when facing his judges? Hint

the Apostles Peter and Paul

the Apostles Peter and John

Martin Luther

Martin Luther King

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these quotes is traditionally referred to by those in favour of heavy arms spending? Hint

Inter arma, silent leges.

Verba volant, scripta manent.

Dura lex sed lex.

Si vis pacem, para bellum.

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 15 2024 : FabledHexor: 2/10
Dec 10 2024 : Guest 41: 7/10
Nov 30 2024 : arion52: 4/10
Nov 19 2024 : Guest 134: 3/10
Nov 10 2024 : Guest 73: 3/10
Nov 10 2024 : Cymruambyth: 7/10
Nov 10 2024 : Guest 174: 10/10
Nov 10 2024 : Guest 93: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When a meeting has been adjourned without a date being agreed upon for re-convening, we can say it has been adjourned _____ ____ ?

Answer: sine die

'Dies Natalis' is the day of Jesus' Birth. Nativity. The word is recognizable in 'Buenas Dias'. 'Sine - without'.

2. When you make a plea for your own cause, your plea can be called a(n) _______________ ?

Answer: oratio pro domo

Ex abrupto means you begin your speech without introduction or warning up to the subject. Example: Cicero beginning with: Quosque tandem Catilina abutere patientia nostra. In medias res: normally said of a play in which there is little introduction. Newman wrote An apologia pro vita sua. An 'apologia' need not be a speech. Pro domo literally means for your own home, family, etc.

In other words, you are defending your own interests.

3. If you print the complete text of a speech, you print it _____________

Answer: in extenso

There was a Latin Bible 'ad usum vulgatum' for the people who were not schooled in Biblical interpretation. For the use of the common man.

4. If you want to make a clean slate and start from scratch again, the thing to do is to make '_______ _____' of the past ?

Answer: tabula rasa

Status quo: things are left as they were. Tabula nuda would be a writing-tablet on which nothing has been written yet. Tabula rasa means it has been wiped out.

5. Many a good speech begins with a 'fight for the attention and the good-will of the audience'. What is the traditional name for such a beginning of a speech?

Answer: captatio benevolentiae

Getting the favourable attention of the audience.

6. What Latin expression claims that giving names to a person or a thing may have its effect on the future of that person or thing?

Answer: Nomen est omen.

Lumen numen is a tendency in art which pays a lot of attention to the sacred character of light. In cauda venenum has no link with names. It means that it's often the last line of a speech or text which contains a poisonous remark. An omen is a sign about what the future will bring.

7. What is meant in the Roman Catholic tradition by the saying: Roma locuta , causa finita ?

Answer: When Rome has spoken, the discussion is closed.

The idea was that theologians could discuss on a subject as long as there was no view expressed on the matter by the Pope and his so-called 'Curia'. It was St. Augustine who made this bow to Papal authority.

8. Quot capita, tot sententiae.

Answer: The more people take part in a discussion, the more differences in opinion there will be.

Caput - capita means 'head(s) of people', in this case people involved in a dispute. Sententia is an opinion expressed in a statement.

9. Who spoke the famous words 'Non possumus' when facing his judges?

Answer: the Apostles Peter and John

Martin Luther King would proably not have expressed his views in Latin. Martin Luther did not favour Latin and said approximately the same as what Peter said to his attackers: I cannot act otherwise. 'Hier stehe ich und kann nicht anders.' The 'Non possumus' quote is from the Acts of the Apostles, 4, 20 when the pagans ask Peter and John to shut up about Jesus Christ.' Their answer: 'We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard'.

10. Which of these quotes is traditionally referred to by those in favour of heavy arms spending?

Answer: Si vis pacem, para bellum.

Inter arma silent leges. During a war one cannot take into account laws too strictly. Dura lex sed lex: It may be a hard law, but it is the law. Verba volant, scripta manent. Be careful of what you put down on paper.I t is not as volatile as the spoken word. Si vis pacem, para bellum.

The best way to preserve the peace, is to prepare for war. In other words show you have a strong army and the enemy won't attack.

Source: Author flem-ish

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
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